WINNERS OF THE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE AND DISTINCTION 2015

Each year, the ACQ highlights projects developed by the camps that affect the social, educational or economic organization. All are working hard to improve their camp, their programming and services to better serve their clients.

This year, Keno presented is new Leadership program called YOUNG LEADERS and was selected as the WINNER OF THE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE AND DISTINCTION 2015 in the Programming Category: renewal of the camp experience.

The Young leaders program is designed by professionals who put their heart and soul into sharing their talents and helping young people to reach their full potential and build their personality. It allows young people to grow within a group that shares positive common values—a place where they can forge their own present and future, and learn to know their own hearts so they can move ahead in life with confidence.

Through the Young Leaders program, we make it possible for young people to experience an outdoor adventure therapy program in an environment away from their regular school and family influences. Young Leaders is a unique and innovative program since it offers long-term stays (longer than two weeks) over a five‑year period.

Studies have shown that outdoor adventure programs have a measurable beneficial impact on participants’ development. Programs like these help to improve young people’s self-confidence, self-esteem, independence, initiative, emotional intelligence and self-understanding. The positive effects of an outdoor adventure program are likely to be long-lasting and compounded over time.

Bawili, age 13: “It’s helped me realize that we didn’t know ourselves very well. It’s helped me discover new sides of myself. It’s given me more self-confidence. Before, I used to be scared to express my ideas. Now I’m able to share my opinion about things. I’ve learned that other people can’t beat me down because of my ideas.”

Xavier, age 13: “Before, being a leader, I didn’t even know what that meant. I knew that leaders were the ones who made the decisions. I thought it was just about deciding. I didn’t think it was about teamwork. It’s helped me discover that.”

Samuel, age 14: “It’s helped me work on my leadership and to have trust in other people. At the beginning, I was a guy who used to be wary of everyone, I didn’t like talking to other people, and I’d be holed up in a corner. Thanks to the young leaders program, I’m like… like a flower, you know, I’m starting to open up and trust other people. The camp counsellors are the people who’ve helped me the most. They helped me to start trusting others.”